The standout player in last summer’s transfer window for Liverpool was Uruguayan international Darwin Nunez, who was a prolific goalscorer for Benfica.
He was also expected to succeed Senegalese international Sadio Mane, who left the team, and came to the Anfield gates for a hefty fee.
Before the season started, he was compared to Norwegian international Erling Håland, who joined Manchester City at the same time.
However, when the lid was opened, he exposed his one-on-one weakness compared to the former Dortmund striker, who scored goals at a threatening pace, and scored only nine goals in the Premier League.
The player has been criticized for scoring fewer goals than chances, but in the preseason leading up to the new season, he scored in three consecutive games. Although not in production, his performances have raised expectations, and a big breakthrough in his second year is in sight.
Defender Rio Ferdinand, who was a regular for Manchester United and Leeds United during his playing days and an absolute stalwart for England, mentioned Nunez’s first year when talking about Danish international Rasmus Hojlund, who is joining his old club, and said that the new season suggested that he could be a different player.
“Anyone who has seen him play will see there are attributes there that you would like. He’s suited to the Premier League,”
“I look at it a bit like Darwin Nunez at Liverpool. Last season was his adjusting season. He’s a young striker coming to the league, everything about him fits the Premier League perfectly but it didn’t go as well as he would have liked.”
“But I think this season we’ll see a different player for Liverpool. I wouldn’t be surprised if that happens with Hojlund, although I’d like him to have a better season than that obviously. He may well do but it will take time to adjust.”
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He is not a dexterous type of player, but a striker who is more dedicated to scoring goals than taking advantage of his surroundings.
His energy for scoring goals is top class, and all he has to do is to score them. Will he be able to show the same form as he did at Benfica, where he scored more goals in his second year with the club?